Throwback Thursday: 1990 San Rafael Church, La Cueva
San Rafael before restoration. Click to zoom.
San Rafael during restoration.
One of the gems of Cornerstones’ body of work is the restoration of San Rafael Church in La Cueva, New Mexico. The Gothic-style adobe church, defined by its windows, doors, and high ceiling, was built between 1862 and 1870 on the Vicente Romero family hacienda. The church was in service to the family and surrounding community until 1952 when it was abandoned. Community member Jose Gurule became San Rafael’s mayordomo in the late 1980s in order to care for the church. He activated community support, and in 1990 restoration work began.
We treasure the long relationships we have with the communities of Mora County. Here’s what collaboration can do: on the right, San Rafael before Cornerstones and the community came together to restore the church.
San Rafael today.
Young Journalists to Report on Local Solar Projects
Photo from True Kids 1 website: https://truekids1.org
The Solar Initiative is pleased to announce its most recent grant to True Kids 1 in Taos for its innovative and comprehensive Emerging Journalists Program and Customized Classroom Initiative in Media/Journalism Education. Participating students, ages 8 to 18, will research and report on solar use and issues in Taos County.
Students from three high schools and one middle school will learn about journalism and will work towards a paid end-of-the year storytelling project. Specifically, the youth will develop a sharp focus on solar activity in Taos County. This focus will see both Emerging Journalists and select Taos classrooms cover solar topics for local or online publications, including social media. Students will respond to current events in the local solar industry or launch long-form analyses of Taos County and solar power. A partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative offers a field trip to the utility’s new solar project. Some of the students will receive dual credit for their work, which can be applied to a degree at UNM-Taos.
The Solar Initiative is a collaboration of Cornerstones Community Partnerships and Remy’s Good Day Fund.